Jets gut out victory, one win from playoffs

MIAMI (AP) -- Stymied for three quarters by steady rain, sloppy
play and the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets found even the
simple task of catching a field-goal snap difficult.

But with the game on the line, and their playoff hopes in
jeopardy, the Jets came up with the big plays they needed.

New York overcame the weather, a sputtering offense and two late
scores by Miami to win 13-10 on Monday night.

"For us it was all about chipping away and waiting for our
moment," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "This was a game with
tough conditions. We faced a lot of adversity."

All of the points came in the final 17:25. Miami kicked a tying
field goal with 2:09 left, but on the Jets' next play, Leon
Washington caught a short pass from Chad Pennington and broke loose
for a 64-yard gain.

Four plays later, Mike Nugent kicked a 30-yarder with 10 seconds
left. That meant the Jets (9-6) can clinch an AFC wild-card playoff
berth if they beat Oakland (2-13) in their final regular-season
game Sunday.

"We like controlling our own destiny and not having to rely on
someone else to help us," defensive end Shaun Ellis said.

For the Dolphins (6-9), the defeat ensures the first losing
season for Nick Saban in his 13 years as a college and NFL coach.
Miami was eliminated from the playoff race a week ago.

"When it came to it, we just fell apart on defense,"
linebacker Zach Thomas said. "And they made great plays when they
had to."

The rain resulted in a succession of errant and dropped passes --
and 18 punts. A mishandled snap spoiled a field goal try by New
York. Dolphins cornerback Eddie Jackson left the game with a knee
injury when he stumbled and fell on the slippery field without
being hit.

When the Dolphins' scoreless streak reached six quarters, Cleo
Lemon replaced Joey Harrington at quarterback to start the second
half. A third-year pro, Lemon threw his first NFL touchdown pass
and finished 11-for-16 for 104 yards.

"We decided to go with Cleo to see if he would give us a little
bit of a spark," Saban said. "He did a decent job of moving the
team a couple of times."

Miami's Ronnie Brown, back in the lineup after missing three
games with a hand injury, rushed for 110 yards on 18 carries.

But in the fourth quarter, the Jets answered scores by the
Dolphins with scoring drives of 80 and 68 yards.

"We didn't knock them out, but we might have scored a technical
knockout," New York linebacker Jonathan Vilma said.

After Lemon hit Randy McMichael on a 7-yard touchdown pass to
put the Dolphins ahead 7-3, New York regained the lead on
Pennington's 31-yard scoring pass to Jerricho Cotchery with 7:51 to
go.

Cotchery was initially ruled down at the 1-yard line, but the
Jets challenged the spot, and following a review the play was ruled
a touchdown.

A funny bounce then produced the game's only turnover -- and the
tying field goal for Miami.

A short punt by the Dolphins took a backward hop before
deflecting off the arm of Jets blocker Brad Kassell, and Miami'sJohn Denney recovered at the Jets 42. Eight plays later, Olindo
Mare kicked a 25-yard field goal.

Saban opted to kick rather than trying for a first down on
fourth-and-1.

"Some guys wanted to go for it and some guys wanted to kick
it," Lemon said. "When it's all said and done, Coach Saban's got
to make that decision."

The game was an announced sellout, but because of the Christmas
holiday, the bad weather and the Dolphins' disappointing season,
the stadium was less than half full at the start.

For much of the game, the best plays for the Jets were scrambles
by Pennington, who twice ran for first downs. His 15-yard gain in
the third quarter sparked the game's first scoring drive, which
produced a 22-yard field goal by Nugent.

Pennington finished 14-for-29 for 237 yards

The Jets mounted the best threat in a scoreless first half,
driving 67 yards to the Miami 16. But when New York lined up for a
34-yard field goal try, the perfect snap slipped through the hands
of holder Ben Graham and hit him in the helmet, giving the Dolphins
possession.

Game notes
Miami DB Eddie Jackson sustained a knee injury in the
second quarter and was on crutches after the game. DB Andre Goodman
aggravated a shoulder injury in the first quarter. DT Keith Traylor
hurt his knee in the second half. ... New York CB Andre Dyson hurt
his right leg in the third quarter. ... Former T Richmond Webb was
inducted into the Dolphins Honor Roll at halftime. ... The starting
time of Miami's game Sunday at Indianapolis was changed to 4:15
p.m. EST.